WO2007082791A1

WO2007082791A1 - Method for developing potential images which are produced on an intermediate image carrier of images which are to be printed having selectable customer-specific colours in an electrographic printing or copying device

Info

Publication number: WO2007082791A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/050065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Berg; Volkhard Maess
Original assignee: OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH
Priority date: 2006-01-12
Filing date: 2007-01-04
Publication date: 2007-07-26
Also published as: JP2009523255A; US20080310870A1; DE102006001648B3; EP1977286A1

Abstract

The apparatus provides a mixing device (8) which has primary colour concentrates having charged ink toner particles in each case in storage containers (811) as a function of the selectable colour, and a storage container (812) having carrier fluid and, in addition, a mixing station (82) which is connected to the storage containers (81) and in which the developer fluid which is assigned to the selected customer-specific colour is produced from the primary colour concentrates and the carrier fluid. The developer fluid is fed to a developer station (7) which develops the potential images on the intermediate image carrier (1) in the customer-specific colours. Furthermore, a receiving device (9) is provided which receives the residual developer fluid which remains on the intermediate image carrier (1) in the developer station (7) after developing of the potential images. The colour of the developer fluid is determined colorimetrically in the mixing device and, in the event of a colour change, it is determined whether the new colour can be produced by using the residual developer fluid.

Description

Process for developing potential images of images to be printed produced on an intermediate image carrier with selectable customer-specific colors in the case of an electrophotographic printing or copying device

For single or multi-color printing of a recording medium, e.g. a single sheet or a tape-shaped recording medium made of various materials, e.g. Paper or thin plastic or metal foils, it is known, on an intermediate image carrier, e.g. a photoconductor, image-dependent to generate potential images (charge images), which correspond to the images to be printed, consisting of areas to be inked and non-inked. The areas of the potential images to be colored are made visible by toner using a developer station (inking station). Subsequently, the toner image is transferred to the recording medium.

For coloring the potential images, toner particles and carrier liquid containing developer liquid may be used.

A process for electrophoretic liquid development (electrographic development) in digital printing systems is known e.g. from WO 2005/013013 A2. It is called as

Developer liquid containing a silicone oil-containing carrier liquid having dispersed therein color particles (toner particles). More details can be found in WO 2005/013013 A2, which is part of the disclosure of the present application.

US 6 526 244 B1 discloses a developer station that can be used to create customer specific colors. For this purpose, a mixing device is provided according to FIG. 3, in which primary color concentrates which are selectable from color toner and carrier liquid in a container are mixed to the customer-specific color (developer liquid). This decision Winder liquid is fed to the developer station and used there to develop the charge images on a photoconductor. The residual developer liquid after the development of the charge images is returned to the container or a residual container. Before a color change is to be carried out, the developer station and the mixing device are automatically cleaned with the aid of the carrier liquid.

EP 0 833 219 A1 describes a color mixing system for an electrographic printing device in order to be able to print customer specific colors. In a mixing container basic color concentrates are removed and mixed in accordance with the customer specific color from containers. The customer specific color is used to develop the charge images on a photoconductor.

DE 36 23 251 C2 results in a copier, can be printed with different colors. If a color change is required, at least the developer station must be cleaned. For this the developer liquid for black is used. This is passed through the developer station, then waited until the developer liquid is drained for black. Subsequently, the developer liquid for the next color is supplied to the developer station. Emptying from the developer station is done by gravity.

US 2003/103 775 A1 is concerned with a method by which it is possible to determine whether a color which has been contaminated during printing must be replaced. The contamination is created in color printing by transporting color toner across the photoconductor to adjacent developer stations.

The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a device and a method with which Customer specific colors can be produced according to a print job of the customer and a color change without exchange of system components, such as the developer station, is possible.

This problem is solved by a method according to the features of claim 1 and a device according to the features of claim 22.

The inventive device for developing potential images generated on an intermediate image carrier with customer-selectable colors using a charged toner particles and carrier liquid having developer liquid provides a mixing device, • depending on the selectable color in each case

Storage containers has primary color concentrates with charged dye toner particles and a storage container with carrier liquid,

• having a mixing station connected to the storage containers, in which the primary color concentrates and the carrier liquid are used to produce the developer liquid associated with the selected customer-specific color.

The mixing device is connected to a developer station to which the developer liquid is supplied and which develops the potential images on the intermediate image carrier in the previously produced customer-specific color. The remaining after completion of a print job in the developer station residual developer liquid is fed to a receiving device which receives them.

Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

For a wide range of colors, reservoirs of primary color concentrates for 2 to 15 colors, preferably 4 to 7 colors, may be provided. The can Primary color concentrates have the same carrier liquid and a large proportion by weight of Farbstoffftoner- particles contain, preferably 10 to 55%. The color locations of the dye toner particles may be selected so that the primary color concentrates have a high chroma and a staggered hue.

The mixing station can be a mixing vessel and a mixing unit, for. As a rotor, to produce the customer-specific developer liquid. If an evaluation device for the colorimetric evaluation of the developer liquid is arranged at the outlet of the mixing station, the developer liquid can be checked as to whether the mixed color corresponds to the customer order and if necessary corrections are made.

In order to be able to adapt the amount of color to be mixed to the respective customer order, a means for determining the filling quantity in the mixing container can be provided in the mixing station. The means may be a level sensor or a weight sensor.

The evaluation unit controlled by a control unit may, in addition to a sensor for colorimetric evaluation of the developer liquid, additionally comprise a sensor for determining the content of dye toner particles in the developer liquid. Then it is possible to adjust the content of dye toner particles.

In order to remove the developer liquid from the developer station, it is expedient if it can be pivoted away from the intermediate image carrier. In addition, it is advantageous if the transmission path for the developer liquid in the developer station is designed in such a way that the developer liquid present in the developer station can be emptied into the receiver. If a drain for the developer liquid is arranged in the lower area of the developer station, the emptying of the developer station can take place after pivoting the entire developer station or parts of the developer station due to gravity. However, the emptying of the developer station can also be carried out with the aid of a conveyor system. It is then expedient for the developer station to have a receptacle for the proportion of developer liquid (residual developer liquid) not used in the development of the potential images, which is connected to the receptacle.

For forwarding the residual developer liquid from the receptacle to the receiving device, a first 2-way valve can be arranged at the input, via which a connection with the mixing station or via a second 2-way valve with a filter station or a residual container can be produced. The filter station can be connected to the mixing station, so that the residual developer liquid can be used in the generation of the next color developer liquid.

It is advantageous if the areas of the connection system (connections between mixing device, developer station, receiving device and transmission paths for the developer liquid within the mixing device, developer station, receiving device) for the developer liquid, in which a discharge by gravity or the conveyor system is not sufficient have anti-adhesive properties. Then no residuals of developer liquid can remain in the joint system when the paint is changed. In addition, it is advantageous if the connection system is designed in such a way that, when the device is in operation, no regions without flow exist and thus there is a regular exchange of the developer liquid with the entire circuit. Furthermore, the connection system can be designed such that there are no discontinuous changes in the flow cross sections in the connections or that the changes in the flow cross sections of the connections are such that no reversal of the flow direction but only a change in the flow velocity can occur.

For cleaning the connection system, the mixing device and the developer station, it is possible to use a liquid which is identical to the carrier liquid. Then it is possible that when using a developer liquid with a new color, this may possibly be mixed with residues of the previous developer liquid.

The developer station can be constructed in a known manner. An advantageous realization of the developer station can have a feed device, an applicator device and a cleaning device. The feed device can then be connected to take over the developer liquid with the mixing device. From the supply device, the developer liquid can be transferred to the applicator device and be guided by this on the intermediate image carrier. The cleaning device can clean off the remaining developer liquid remaining in the applicator device after the development of the potential images from the applicator device and deliver them into the receptacle.

An expedient embodiment of the feed device can have a chamber doctor blade and an anilox roller, wherein the chamber doctor blade has an inflow and an overflow and the inflow to the mixing device and the overflow to the receptacle is connected. From the anilox roller, the developer liquid can be applied to the applicator device, e.g. B. an applicator, go over. An advantageous realization of the cleaning device may comprise a cleaning roller, which takes over the residual developer liquid from the applicator device and on which a cleaning blade rests which strips off the residual developer liquid from the cleaning roller and feeds it to the receptacle.

To avoid waste, it is expedient if in the mixing device in each case the color of the developer liquid is determined colorimetrically and is determined in good time before a color change, whether the developer liquid of the new color can be generated using the residual developer liquid of the previously printed color. To speed up this process, when printing multiple colors, the different colors to be printed in the print order can be arranged such that optimal reusability of the residual developer liquid of a print job is possible in the next print job.

The device is designed in such a way that when changing a color to be printed, it can be cleaned without user intervention, even if the residual developer liquid of the previous print job can not be used in the generation of the color of the next print job. In this case, before the mixture of the developer liquid for the following print job, first, the filling amount of the developer liquid of the current print job in the mixing container and possibly the concentration of the dye toner particles in the mixer container can be reduced to the lower limit of the tolerance range for sufficient coloring of the developer liquid for the following print job ,

The suitability of the residual developer liquid as a mixing component for the developer liquid with the coloring The following print job can then be accepted if it is possible to produce the color of the following print job by mixing with the existing primary color concentrates. Criteria may be that the chroma of the color is higher than or equal to the color of the next print job and the hue is between or sufficiently close to the color angles of adjacent primary colors of the next print job.

In the case of unsuitability of the residual developer liquid as

Mixed component of the color for the next print job, this can be promoted in the rest container. Its capacity can be monitored to ensure timely emptying.

After it has been determined whether the remaining amount of developing liquid can be used for the ink of the next printing job, the cleaning of the developer station can be carried out, wherein the carrier liquid is suitably used as the cleaning liquid. The developer station is not in contact with the intermediate image carrier. In a first cleaning cycle, the cleaning liquid can be conveyed through the mixing device and the developer station, as in the printing operation, and then returned to the mixing device again. In further cleaning operations, components of the developer station can be supplied with cleaning fluid and operated separately from the other components, whereby the separately operated components can be reversely operated in the rotational or conveying direction. As components operated separately, the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the applicator roll or the supply means, in particular the chamber doctor blade and the anilox roll, can be operated separately with the cleaning liquid. When cleaning, a filter station may be used to deposit the dye toner particles to deplete the residual developer liquid on dye toner particles. The deposition can be done by means of an electric field or a sieve can be used. Finally, a centrifuge can be used to deposit the dye toner particles. The cleaning of the developer station can be done in a cyclic process, in which a steady reduction of the concentration of the dye toner particles in the im

Mixing tank and the developer station located developer liquid takes place. In this case, the limiting concentration of the dye toner particles, up to which the cyclic cleaning process continues, can be defined by the fact that a color shift according to the CIELAB system of ΔE <3 occurs at this concentration for the subsequent customer-specific color.

The particular advantages of the device and the method can be seen in the following features:

- The color change takes a short time, preferably less than 5 minutes;

- The color change is automated, no user intervention is required; the use of a process with colorimetric determination of the mixed color makes it possible to use the residual developer liquid of the preceding print job as a mixing component for the developer liquid of the next print job; - the use of a print order management that the

Arranges print jobs such that optimum reusability of the residual developer liquids is enabled;

- the use of an integrated cleaning system (cleaning with carrier liquid, design of the developer station, filter system) allows the change from one custom color to the next can be done without user intervention, even if the residual developer liquid is not used as a mixing component for the developer liquid of the next print job; - when changing a custom color is no

Replacement of the complete developer station against a reserve developer station required.

With reference to an embodiment, which is illustrated in the figures, the invention will be further explained. Show it:

Figure 1 shows the structure of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the device.

Figure 1 shows the components of a printing system DS, as z. B. from WO 2005/013013 A2 is known; this is hereby incorporated into the disclosure. Along a intermediate image carrier 1, in FIG. 1 of a photoconductive drum, is a regeneration exposure 2, a charging station 3, an imagewise exposure element 4, a developing device EV (inking station), a transfer unit 5 for transferring the developed potential images onto a record carrier AT Element 6 for cleaning the photoconductor drum arranged. The transfer unit 5 has an elastic transfer roller 50, a counterpressure roller 51 and a cleaning unit 52.

Of the components listed in FIG. 1 arranged along the photoconductive drum, the developer device EV is treated in more detail below, the construction and the function of the other components are known and can be found, for example, in WO 2005/013013 A2. The developer device EV has a developer station 7 for developing the potential images on the intermediate image carrier 1, a mixing device 8 for generating the customer-specific color and a receiving device 9 for receiving the residual developer liquid left over when a print job is completed. The developer station 7 in turn contains a feed device 71, an applicator device 72, a cleaning device 73 and a receptacle 74. The mixing device 8 has at least reservoirs 81 for the primary color concentrates and a mixing station 82 for mixing the developer liquid. The receiving station 9 contains means for processing the residual developer liquid.

The applicator device 72 may be an applicator roller 720 or a developer belt, which is arranged in contact with the intermediate image carrier 1. In the following, the discussion will refer to an applicator roller 720 without limiting the invention thereto. With the applicator roller 720, the potential images on the intermediate image carrier 1 are developed. For this purpose, the applicator roller 720 feeds a developer liquid at least from a carrier liquid and charged dye toner particles to the intermediate image carrier 1. The development takes place in a known manner (WO 2005/013013 A2).

The developer liquid is supplied to the applicator roller 720 by a feeder 71. It has an anilox roller 710 with cups and webs and a chamber roller blade 711 arranged on the anilox roller 710. The chamber doctor blade 711 consists of at least one chamber 712, an inlet 713 and an overflow 714. The chamber doctor blade 711 according to FIG. 1 is described in its function in WO 2005/013013 A2. The developer liquid is withdrawn from the mixer 8 and e.g. through a first pump

831 of the chambered doctor blade 711 supplied. The residual developer liquid in chamber 712 passes over the overflow 714 directed into a receptacle 74 and from there, the developer liquid can be pumped by means of a further pump 75 in the receiving device 9.

The applicator roller 720 is cleaned by the cleaning device 73 of residual developer liquid remaining on the intermediate image carrier 1 during development of the potential images. For this purpose, it has z. B. a voltage applied to the applicator roll 720 cleaning roller 730 and a voltage applied to the cleaning roller 730 cleaning blade 731. The cleaning blade 731 strips the residual developer liquid from the cleaning roller 730 and supplies it to the receptacle 74.

In the following, the mixing device 8 will be further explained. This comprises a set of primary color concentrates in storage containers 811, the primary color concentrates containing the carrier liquid and the dye toner particles dispersed therein. The number of different primary color concentrates can be between 2 to 15, preferably 4 to 7, colors. The proportion by weight of dye toner particles is chosen as high as possible, it should be between 10 to 55% of the respective primary color concentrate. It is favorable if the color loci of the dye toner particles of the primary color concentrates have a high chroma and a staggered color angle (hue). In addition, a reservoir 812 is provided for the carrier liquid.

The reservoirs 811 with the primary color concentrates and the reservoir 812 with the carrier liquid are connected to a mixing station 82 via pumps 832. The mixing station 82 has a mixing container 820 with a mixing unit 821 and at the output an evaluation device 822. The reservoirs 811 for the primary color concentrates and the reservoir 812 for the carrier liquid can, depending on the selected color on the pump 832 are connected to the mixing container 820. There they are through the mixing unit 821, z. B. a rotor mixed with the developer liquid. In the mixing container 820, a device 823 can be provided for determining its filling quantity, for. B. a level sensor (ultrasonic sensor or capacitive sensor) or a weight sensor to determine the amount of the developer liquid produced can. With the evaluation device 822 at the outlet of the mixing container 820, its properties can be checked with a sensor for colorimetric evaluation of the developer liquid and a sensor for determining the content of dye toner particles in the developer liquid.

The output of the evaluator 822 is connected via the circulation pump 831 to the inlet 713 of the chambered doctor blade 710 for supplying the developer liquid of the selected color. With this, the potential images are then developed on the intermediate image carrier 1 in the manner described above.

The residual developer liquid remaining after the development of the potential images is supplied to the receptacle 74. The receiving container 74 is connected via the pump 75 to a first 2-way valve 91, via which the receiving container 74 can be connected to the mixing container 820 or to a second 2-way valve 92. Via this, the residual developer liquid can be supplied to a waste container 93 or a filter station 94. The filter station 94 is finally connected via a pump 95 to the mixing container 820. Thus, the residual developer liquid can be supplied to the mixing container 820 directly or via the filter station 94 or passed into the waste container 93 via the two-way valves 91, 92. The developer fluid connections between the mixer 8, the developer station 7 and the receiver 9, and the developer liquid transmission paths within the mixer 8, the developer station 7, and the receiver 9 constitute a developing fluid connection system. The connections between the mixing device 8, the developer station 7 and the receiving device 9 can, for. B. be realized by hoses.

The developer station 7 is designed such that it can be switched on and off automatically from the intermediate image carrier 1. The rollers (anilox roller 711, applicator roller 720, cleaning roller 730) can likewise be swiveled away from one another or swiveled toward one another in an automated manner. In addition, the direction of rotation of the rollers (anilox roller 711, applicator roller 720, cleaning roller 730) can be reversed. The developer station 7 is designed so that the developer liquid can be completely discharged from the developer station 7, either by gravity after pivoting the developer station 7 or parts thereof or by aspirating the developer liquid from the developer station 7 by a conveyor system, for. B. by pumps that further promote developer fluid even in partial air in the conveyor system.

In order to further improve the emptying of the connection system, the parts of the connection system which can not be emptied by gravity may be antiadhesive in order to wipe out these points and to avoid solid deposits, in particular dye toner particles, and thus the drainage of the developer liquid enable. Furthermore, the connection system is designed in such a way that no areas without flow exist during operation and thus there is a constant exchange of the developer fluid with the entire circuit. Finally, the connection system is designed so that no discontinuous changes in the flow cross-sections are present or the changes in the flow cross-section are such that no reversal of the flow direction, but only a change in the flow rate occur. For cleaning the connection system, the carrier liquid can be used expediently.

During printing operation, depending on the ink to be printed, after the print job, the corresponding storage containers 811, 812 are connected to the mixing container 820 and the dyeing developer liquid is produced. The filling quantity in the mixing container 820 is adjusted via the level control to the required amount of customer-specific color of the current print job. After the customer-specific developer liquid has been produced, it is supplied to the developer station 7, which develops the potential images on the intermediate image carrier 1 in a known manner.

If a new print job is to be processed with a new color, it is first checked whether the residual developer liquid can be used in the new print job. If this is not the case, the filling quantity in the mixing container 820 and then also the concentration of the dye toner particles is reduced to the lower limit of the tolerance range for a sufficient inking in the next print job, whereby a waste minimization is achieved.

The sequence of the color mixing process will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2:

When changing color (to print job B) after completing a print job (print job A), the mini- mized residual developer liquid is first determined by determining the values L *, a *, b * (L * = brightness; a * = green-red coordinate , b * = blue-yellow coordinate according to the CIELAB color space) of the closed print job (A) measured colorimetrically (step Sl). Suitability criteria are higher or equal chroma, hue between or sufficiently close to the color angles of adjacent primary colors of customer order B (Δh <60 °). Subsequently, the target values L *, a *, b * of the next print job B are input (step S2) and compared with those of the previous print job (step S3) to determine whether the developer liquid with the color of the next print job B is the remaining amount of the print job A and of the primary color concentrates of the print job B is miscible (according to colorimetric criteria, step S4). - If this is not the case, the remaining amount will be in step

S5 discharged as waste (residual container 93) and the device rinsed with carrier liquid (step S6). In this case, the developer station 7 is not in contact with the intermediate image carrier 1. In a first cleaning cycle, the cleaning liquid can be conveyed through the mixing station 82 and the developer station 7 as in the printing operation and returned to the mixing station 82 again. In a second cleaning cycle, only components of the developer station 7 can be supplied with cleaning liquid and operated separately from the rest of the developer station. These components can be reversed in rotation and / or the conveying direction. As an example of separately operated components, the applicator roll 720 can be used or the feeding device, ie the chamber doctor blade 711 and the anilox roll 710. The cleaning liquid can, after one or more circulations, be passed through a filter station 94 for the deposition of the dye toner particles electric field effect can be used for deposition or a sieve or a centrifuge. In this case, there is a steady reduction in the concentration of the dye toner particles in the residual liquid present in the mixing container 820 and developer station 7. The limit concentration up to which the cyclic cleaning process lasts can be defined by the fact that, at this concentration, there is a color shift of ΔE <3 in comparison to the color of customer order B. If this is the case (step S4), the color of the

Print jobs B from the remaining amount of the print job A and the primary color concentrates of the print job B are mixed. In step S7, it is examined whether there is a color shift of ΔE <3 (according to the CIELAB system) for the color of the print job B. If ΔE <3 is not satisfied, the residual quantity of the print job A can be supplied with the primary color concentrates of the print job B (step S8). Subsequently, the steps Sl ff are executed again. If ΔE <3 is satisfied, the target value of the concentration of the dye toner particles is entered in step S9 and it is examined in step S10 whether this target value has been reached. When the target value is reached, the mixing process is completed. If the concentration of the dye toner particles is too high, carrier liquid is supplied in step Sil, and then steps S9, S1 are repeated. If, on the other hand, the concentration of the dye toner particles is too low, the process returns to step S8.

The described sequence is coordinated by a control unit ST, which can be implemented as a microprocessor, which is programmed according to the flowchart. FIG. 2 shows the control lines to the individual components of the device. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

DS printing system

EV developer device

AT record carrier

1 intermediate image carrier

2 regeneration exposure

3 charging station

4 element for imagewise exposure

5 transfer unit

50 transfer roller

51 counterpressure roller

52 cleaning unit

6 cleaning device

7 developer station

71 feeder

710 Anilox roller

711 chambered doctor blade

712 chamber

713 inlet

714 overflow

72 applicator device

720 applicator roller

73 Cleaning device

730 cleaning roller

731 cleaning blade

74 receptacle

75 Pump at the outlet of the receptacle

8 mixing device

81 storage tank

810 Reservoir for primary color concentrates

811 reservoir for carrier liquid

82 mixing station 820 mixing container

821 mixing unit

822 evaluation facility

823 fill sensor

83 pumps

831 first pump connected to the inlet

832 pumps between storage tank and mixing

station

9 receiving device

91 valve

92 valve

93 leftovers

94 filter station

95 pump

Claims

claims

1. A method for developing potential images of images to be printed on an intermediate image carrier with selectable customer-specific colors by using a developer liquid containing toner particles and carrier liquid in an electrographic printing or copying device,

in which the customer-specific ink is produced from primary color concentrates and a carrier liquid in a mixing device (8) as developer liquid in accordance with the print job,

in which the developer liquid is fed to a developer station (7) which develops the potential images on the intermediate image carrier (1) and which cleans the residual developer liquid remaining after the development into a receiving device (9),

- In which the developer station (7) is automatically cleaned with a change of color without user intervention, - in which the color of the developer liquid is colorimetrically determined in the mixing device (8) and is determined on color change, whether the new color using the rest Developer liquid left over after execution of the previous print job can be generated.

A method according to claim 1, wherein the suitability of the residual developing liquid for use in the mixing of the new color developing liquid is determined by comparing the chroma and the color angle of the residual developing liquid with the chroma and the color angle of the new color.

3. The method of claim 3, wherein the suitability of the residual developer liquid for

Mixture of the new color is present when their chroma is higher or equal compared to the new color and the Color angle is close to the color angles of adjacent primary colors of the customer color system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the color angle deviation Δh <60 ° is selected.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the successive printing of several colors, the different colors to be printed in a print order are arranged such that an optimal

Reusability of the residual developer liquid of a print job is made possible in the next print job.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the developer station (7) is cleaned when changing a color to be printed without user intervention, even if the residual developer liquid of the previous print job in the generation of the color of the next print job can not be used ,

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

in which the developer liquid is produced in a mixing container (820) arranged in the mixing device (8),

- In which the filling amount in the mixing container (820) is adjusted via a level control to the required amount of customers specific color of the current print job.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in the case of unsuitability of the residual developer liquid of the current print job for the mixture of the developer liquid for the following print job, first the filling amount in the mixing container (820) and possibly the toner particle concentration in the mixing container to the lower limit of the tolerance range for a adequate staining of Developer fluid is reduced for the following print job.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein in the case of unsuitability of the residual developer liquid as a mixing component for producing the ink according to the next print job this is conveyed from the mixing container (820) in a rest container (93).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the filling amount in the waste container (93) is monitored in order to ensure timely emptying.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in a cyclic cleaning process, a continuous reduction of the concentration of the dye toner particles in the by the mixing device (8) and the developer station (7) flowing developer liquid takes place.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the limit concentration of the dye toner particles to which the cyclic cleaning process continues is defined by the fact that at this concentration for the subsequent customer specific color there is a color shift according to the CIELAB system of ΔE <3 ,

13. The method of claim 12, wherein subsequent to the verification of the suitability of the developer liquid for mixing the developer liquid for the following print job, the cleaning of the developer station (7) is performed, wherein the developer station is not in contact with the intermediate image carrier (1) ,

14. The method of claim 13, wherein in a first cleaning cycle, a cleaning liquid through the mixing device (8) and the Ent- Winder station (7) is conveyed and returned to the mixing device (8).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cleaning liquid in the same manner by the mixing device (8) and the developer station (7) is guided as in the printing operation, the developer liquid.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein in the cleaning cycle, components of the developer station (7), such as applicator (720) and / or feeder (71) are supplied with cleaning liquid and operated separately from each other, wherein the separately operated components optionally in Turning or conveying direction are reversed operated.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the cleaning liquid, the carrier liquid is used.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the cleaning liquid is passed niger particles during each cycle through a filter station (94) for the deposition of the dye toner.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein an electric field is used to deposit the dye toner particles.

20. The method of claim 18, 19, wherein a sieve is used for the deposition of the dye toner particles.

21. The method of claim 18, 19, wherein a centrifuge is used for the deposition of the dye toner particles.

22. An apparatus for developing intermediate image potential images of images to be printed with selectable custom colors using the method of any one of claims 1 to 21, - in which a mixing device (8) is provided,

• having in dependence on the selectable color in each storage containers (811) primary color concentrates with charged dye toner particles and a reservoir (812) with carrier liquid, • one connected to the storage containers (81)

Mixing station (82), in which from the primary color concentrates and the carrier liquid the developer liquid associated with the selected customer color is produced, - in which a developer station (7) is provided which is connected to the mixing device (8), to which the developer liquid is supplied and which develops the potential images on the intermediate image carrier (1) in the customer-specific color, - in which a receiving device (9) is provided, the remaining after the development of the potential images on the intermediate image carrier (1) in the developer station (7) residual developer liquid receives.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the reservoir (811) are provided with primary color concentrates for 2 to 15 colors, preferably 4 to 7 colors.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the primary color concentrates comprise dye toner particles and carrier liquid.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the primary color concentrates have a large proportion by weight of dye toner particles, preferably 10 to 55%.

26. Device according to one of claims 24 to 25, wherein the color loci of the dye toner particles of the different primary color concentrates have a high chroma and a staggered color angle (hue).

27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the mixing station (82) comprises a mixing vessel (820) and a mixing unit (821) to produce customer-specific developer liquid.

28. Device according to one of claims 22 to 27, wherein a at the output of the mixing station (82) arranged evaluation means (822) is provided for colorimetric evaluation of the developer liquid.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the evaluation device (822) comprises a sensor for colorimetric evaluation of the developer liquid and a sensor for determining the proportion of the dye toner particles in the developer liquid.

30. Device according to one of claims 22 to 29, wherein the developer station (7) is designed such that it can be pivoted away from the intermediate image carrier (1).

31. Device according to one of claims 22 to 30, wherein the transmission path for the developer liquid in the developer station (7) is designed such that the developer liquid located in the developer station can be emptied into a receiving container (74) arranged in the receiving device (9) ,

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a drain for the developer liquid in the lower region of the developer station (7) is arranged so that the emptying of the developer station takes place after its pivoting down due to gravity.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the receiving device (9) has a first at the output of the receptacle (74) arranged two-way valve (91) through which the receptacle (74) with the mixing container (820) or via a second - Directional valve (92) with a filter station (94) or a residual container (93) is connectable.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the filter station (94) is connected to the mixing container (820).

35. Device according to one of claims 22 to 34, wherein a connection system is provided which connects the mixing device (8), the developer station (7) and the receiving device (9) for transporting the developer liquid together.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein at least the connections of the connection system and the transmission paths for the developer liquid within the mixing device (8), developer station (7), receiving means (9) in which a discharge by gravity and / or by a conveyor system is insufficient, designed to have anti-adhesive properties.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the connection system and the transmission paths for the developer liquid within the mixing means (8), developer station (7), receiving means (9) are designed such that in them in operation no

Areas without flow exist and thus a regular Replacing the developer fluid with the entire circuit is present.

38. Device according to one of claims 35, 36 or 37, wherein the connection system and the transfer paths for the dye toner particles are designed such that there are no discontinuous changes in the flow cross-sections.

39. Device according to one of claims 36 to 38, wherein changes in the flow cross sections of the compounds in the connection system and the transmission paths for the dye toner particles are such that no reversal of the flow direction, but only a change in the flow speed occurs.

40. Device according to one of claims 22 to 39,

- At the developer station (7) a feeder

(71), an applicator device (72) and a cleaning device (73),

in which the supply device (71) is connected to the mixing device (8) for taking over the developer liquid,

in which the developer liquid is transferred from the supply device 71 to the applicator device 72 and is guided past the intermediate image carrier 1,

- Wherein the cleaning device (73) of the applicator device (72) remaining after the development of the potential images on the applicator device

Cleans residual developer liquid and dispenses this in the receptacle (74).

41. Device according to claim 40, - in which the feed device (71) has a chamber doctor blade (711) and an anilox roller (710), - In which the chambered doctor blade (711) has an inlet (714) and an overflow (714), wherein the inflow to the mixing device (8) and the overflow to the receptacle (74) is connected.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, in which the applicator device (72) has an applicator roller (720) which takes over the developer fluid from the anilox roller (710) and on which a cleaning roller (730) rests as cleaning device, which deposits the residual fluid from the applicator roller and on which a cleaning blade (731) rests, which strips off the residual developer liquid from the cleaning roller and from which the stripped residual developer liquid is supplied to the receiving container (74).

43. Device according to one of claims 40 to 42, wherein the components of the developer station (7) (feed device (71), applicator device (72), cleaning device (73)) are designed such that they are supplied separately with developer liquid can .

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the conveying direction for the developer liquid in the components of the developer station (7) is adjustable.

45. Apparatus according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the components of the developer station (7) are designed to swing away from each other.

46. Device according to one of claims 22 to 45, wherein a control unit (ST) is provided which exchanges control signals for operation with the mixing device (8).